AAEA is an environmental organization founded in 1985 that is dedicated to protecting the environment, enhancing human, animal and plant ecologies, promoting the efficient use of natural resources, increasing African American participation in the environmental movement and promoting ownership of energy infrastructure and resources. We resolve environmental problems through the application of practical environmental solutions.

Monday, April 20, 2015

EARTH DAY, Nuclear Power & America

PRESIDENT'S CORNER

By Norris McDonald

Earth Day is middle aged now. Forty-five years old and counting. We have organized and participated in numerous Earth Day activities for the past three decades. From river and creek clean ups to National Mall activities to local events, Earth Day has been quite a tradition for us. Yet, when it comes to the environmental community's most important issue(s), climate change and global warming, we believe nuclear power should be a central component in reducing emissions into the atmosphere.

It's a little-known fact -- especially among the environmentalist community -- that America's nuclear plants are the workhorses of our clean air energy production. Each year, these plants produce 63 percent of all the carbon-free energy generated in the U.S. These plants helped us avoid 589 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions in 2013. To put that in perspective, that equals the amount of carbon emissions emitted by 113 million passenger cars annually. Plus, nuclear energy's life-cycle emissions -- including any emissions from mining, fuel production, plant construction, operation, and decommissioning -- are among the lowest of all electricity sources. (More)

We simply cannot win our fight to mitigate global warming and climate change without utilizing nuclear power. Now for additional news. I begin a cross country trek starting on Earth Day (April 22) across the Unites States of America. I have never driven across this great land of ours, even though I have flown across it many times. I want to see this great country. So I will be driving from Washington, DC to Los Angeles, California. I anticipate that it will take 5 to 6 days to complete this trip. I am driving my 20 year old Toyota Camry. It still gets pretty good mileage. I will chronicle the trip on my Facebook page. Wish me luck.